Parade

Ask Marilyn: This Week's 'Strictly Personal' Question

Marilyn: My mother says that my boyfriend is a first-class jerk, and I admit this is true. She also says that I'm too smart to stay with him. So why do I? Marilyn responds:

You're young, you're physically attracted to him, and you're not thinking long-term! Young men make the same mistake. So use your smarts and do one of two things: 1) Dump him, and spend your time with groups of friends until you find a better boyfriend (or one finds you); or 2) Be very, very, very careful not to do anything that might lead to a long-term involvement. The latter could wreck a significant portion of your life, if not all of it.